Become a Member/Owner/Stakeholder in Our Cooperative Community Property for just $1000
Rooted in the vibrant community of Berea, known for its rich cultural heritage, human diversity, art, tourism, recreation, and international connections, the Unify Cooperative Foundation (Unify Co-Op) is a nonprofit dedicated to building a stronger community, creating green spaces for recreation, and advancing ecological sustainability in everyday life.
Bringing Together People and Organizations for Our Future
Step into a place where Kentucky's past whispers through ancient trees and the spirit of pioneering settlers ignites your imagination. Unify Cooperative isn't just an idea anymore; it's a vibrant tapestry woven from community ownership, cultural preservation, and a passion for a sustainable greener future. Our members are preparing captivating exhibits for our museum, immersing themselves in the planning of the artistic soul of a traditional meeting house, a tree weave, and a cultural center where visitors can witness 250 years of history coming alive through engaging youth and family recreational activities. Here, heritage and tradition meets innovation, and the community flourishes through shared ownership and a commitment to a thriving tomorrow.
Did you know that Madison County has over 80 properties listed on the National Historical Register? And did you know we also have over 2,000 plant and animal species here? We also have more open outdoor areas than most Kentucky counties. Come on, let's explore, discover what we can do together, join us to unify on a journey towards a sustainable brighter future.
The Unify Cooperative Association ("Unify Co-Op") is a cooperative member-owned, non-profit social enterprise dedicated to fostering a greener, more sustainable future for Kentucky. We are a diverse group of individuals united by a common concern for our environment and a desire to create a positive impact for generations to come. We believe in collaboration, not confrontation – regardless of political affiliation – and that everyone has a role to play in protecting the natural world we all depend on.
A Legacy of Sustainability Begins Here
Our story begins in 1775, when the Transylvania Company, led by Daniel Boone, acquired the land south of the Kentucky River from the Cherokee. Since then, Kentucky has witnessed a significant decline in native forest cover, with a staggering 70% loss. Here, at the Unify Cooperative, on the very land where Kentucky's development began, we're committed to reversing this trend.
A Win-Win for Our Community
The Unify Cooperative offers a unique model that benefits our community and the environment in multiple ways. Through volunteer-driven service projects, we promote sustainable land management practices, carbon mitigation strategies, ecological restoration, outdoor recreation, and afforestation initiatives. We also champion historic preservation and create recreational tourism opportunities with the help of local businesses.
By becoming a member-owner, you'll be actively contributing to these vital efforts. Our cooperative structure, with its multiple tax classifications under 501(c)(3), 501(f), and 501(c)(7), allows us to offer a range of benefits and incentives for participation. This ensures that everyone can be a part of the solution, while creating a thriving community center for social interaction and shared goals.
Here in Berea from our location in front of the Indian Fort Theater and Berea College Forestry Center we will focus on a wide-range of activities and objectives to improve the quality of life for area residents to make our community stronger and more resilient based on common shared values that are essential and necessary for everyone living nearby. Our outreach programs and target objectives with our members and volunteers will include participation in some of the following well known annual activities, local recreational destinations, and popular attractions.
Boone Trace Fitness Trail
Berea Arts and Crafts Festival
Berea College Forest
Boone's Camp (1769)
Daniel Boone National Forest
Owsley Fork Reservoir
Lake Reba Park
John B. Stephenson Memorial Trail
Silver Creek Mountain Bike Park
Berea Summer Festivals
Burnt Ridge Hiking Trail
East of Berea on the Big Hill Pike in the Eastern Silver Creek Valley was a cherry wood house where an old Kentucky Colonel traded moonshine made by folks living in the hills to Bereans. Today, we trade carbon credits legally produced regionally by our trees and saved through sustainable recreational activities and forest preservation efforts by our members. From 1995 to 2004, more than 120,000 trees were planted in the region, which offset more than 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions today from residential properties. It takes 9-12 adult medium-sized trees 25'-40' tall to offset one ton of CO2.
We are directly opposite the Indian Fort Theater parking lot and Berea College Forestry Outreach Center. The large parking lot is safe with lighting; there is direct access to the Pinnacles and Indian Fort hiking trails. Established in 1921 by a Kentucky Colonel as a trade outpost before becoming a residence in the 1940s, the property will be renovated and sculpted to create a shady forested park-like atmosphere to preserve the 25-year memorial forest planted there by the previous owner. Today, the mini-forest converts 15 tons of local carbon emissions annually from businesses in the United States.
Have you ever felt the past whisper through the trees? Here at the Indian Fort Outpost, history isn't just a story in a book – it's a vibrant tapestry waiting to be unraveled. Join us, as a member-owner (ecooperator) or a community volunteer, and become part of something bigger than yourself.
Together, we'll use our community resources to weave a richer future, one where education and enlightenment spark curiosity in every visitor. This isn't just another business in a world obsessed with speed; it's a movement to reconnect with our heritage, celebrate the values that bind us, and bridge the divides that separate us.
Imagine the feeling of belonging as we share stories and traditions, leaving a legacy for generations to come. Will you answer the call?
Bringing together the most diverse businesses, people, and resources from all walks of life today for a cooperative and greener tomorrow. Together we can protect and preserve green space today, so it is not all concrete tomorrow. -Alex Sipple